UNDERSTANDING U.S. DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN POLICYSS.7.C.4.1 Differentiate concepts related to U.S. domestic and foreign policy.

Essential QuestionsWhat is domestic policy? What is foreign policy? What are the differences between domestic and foreign policy?

Essential Content Background

This section addresses the following issues:

1. Differentiating between domestic and foreign policy2. Four principles pertaining to domestic and foreign policy3. The Cabinet

1. Differentiating between domestic and foreign policy

The policy making process is outlined in the U.S. Constitution. Article I of the U.S. Constitution provides instruction on both the policy process as well as those areas of public policy for which Congress is responsible. Article I, Section 8 outlines those policy areas within Congress’ purview. Before are those clauses included in Article I, Section 8 that directly or indirectly impact the Benchmark SS.7.C.4.1 as outlined in the Florida Department of Education Civics EOC Item Specifications:

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow money on the credit of the United States;To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and

with the Indian Tribes;To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

This last clause is called the “necessary and proper” or “elastic” clause. The clause enables Congress to take whatever action that it believes needs to be taken in representing the needs of the American people. Most public policy emerges from the “elastic clause” because these policy concerns were not anticipated by the founders.

2. Four principles pertaining to domestic and foreign policy

This listing of congressional powers demonstrates four principles about public policy:

A. Congress has the power to make laws and policies with the sole purpose of impacting citizen and non-citizen behavior in the U.S. This area of policy is domestic policy.

Domestic policy includes those laws focusing on domestic affairs. Social welfare, health care, education, civil rights, economic issues, and social issues, such as family law, all function in the domestic policy realm.

B. Congress has the power to make laws and policies with the purpose of impacting citizen and non-citizen behavior outside the U.S. and international relations. This area of policy is foreign policy.

Foreign policy focuses on the relationship between the U.S. and other nations, and the factors affecting that relationship. Including in the foreign policy process are various policy instruments that are anchored in diplomacy. These policy instruments include alliances and treaties, both of which speak to formal agreements between two or more countries, that take place under the purview of the Secretary of State (a Cabinet-level position that oversees the Department of State).

C. Foreign policy and domestic policy are often related.

How the U.S. interacts with other nations is often related to domestic policy. For example, Congress’ use of its power to raise and support armies articulated in Article I, Section 8, is related to international relations. The greater the domestic threat from foreign enemies, the greater the likelihood that Congress will increase military spending. In the 1990s, for example, military spending declined after the fall of Communism (except in Cuba and China). At the same time, international relations changed for the U.S. with the fall of Communism as more nations became democracies after the fall of Communism which was symbolized with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990.

D. Foreign policy and domestic policy impact one another even if they are made specifically within the domestic or foreign policy realm.

There are certain domestic policy areas impacting other nations directly or indirectly. For example, federal and state-level environmental policies affect air and water quality in the U.S. and in other nations. Domestic policies relating to naturalization affect migration and immigration patterns. Similarly, relationships between the U.S. and other nations impacts and is impacted by trade between those nations.

3. The Cabinet

This table represents a complete list of all current Cabinet departments in the order that they were created.

Department Name Year Created Notes

State 1789 Originally named Department of Foreign Affairs in July 1789, and renamed Department of State in September 1789.

Treasury 1789

War 1791 Named the Department of the Army 1947Named the Department of Defense 1949

Office of Attorney General

1789 Named the Department of Justice in 1870

Interior 1849

Agriculture 1862

Labor and Commerce

1903 Renamed Department of Commerce when the Department of Labor was created in 1913

Labor 1913 The first female Cabinet secretary was Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor under Franklin Roosevelt's administration

Health, Education and Welfare

1953 In 1979, the Department of Education was created, at which point the Department of Health and Human Services was created in 1980 as a department separate from Education.

Housing and Urban Development

1965

Transportation 1966

Energy 1977

Education 1979 See Department of Health, Education and Welfare above

Veteran's Affairs 1988

Homeland Security

2003

There are several positions that hold the status of Cabinet rank even though they are not Cabinet level departments. These include the Vice-President and the White House Chief of Staff.The following offices hold Cabinet-level rank, although they are not connected to Cabinet-level departments.

Name Year Created

Council of Economic Advisers 1946

Environmental Protection Agency 1970

Office of Management and Budget 1921

United States Trade Representative 1963

United States Ambassador to the United Nations

1945

Civics Content Vocabulary

Word/Term Part of Speech Definition

alliance noun a union between nations for assistance and protection

allies noun nations united with another for some common purpose such as assistance and protection

ambassador noun a person sent as the chief representative of his or her own government in another country

diplomacy noun the work of keeping good relations between the governments of different countries

diplomat noun a person employed or skilled in diplomacy

doctrine noun the principles in a system of belief

domestic affairs

noun issues or concerns in one’s own country

domestic policy

noun a government’s decisions about issues within the country

embassy noun the residence or office of a country’s ambassador

foreign affairs noun issues or concerns about other countries around the world

foreign policy noun a government’s decisions about relationships with other countries

HIV/AIDS noun the virus that causes AIDS, spread through body fluids

international relations

noun relationship between nations around the world

Secretary of State

proper noun the head of the U.S. Department of State; a member of the President’s Cabinet

treaty noun an agreement or arrangement between two or more countries

U.S. State Department

proper noun the federal department in the U.S. government that makes foreign policies; part of the executive branch of the federal government

Ten Things You Should Know About U.S. Foreign PolicyU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

What does the U.S. Department of State do for the American people with regard to foreign policy? With just over one percent of the entire federal budget, it has a huge impact on how Americans live and how the rest of the world engages with America.The State Department’s main goals are:

1) advancing U.S. national security2) promoting our economic interests3) reaffirming our country’s exceptional role in the world

For example:1. We create American jobs. We directly support 20 million U.S. jobs by promoting new and open markets for U.S. firms, protecting intellectual property, negotiating new U.S. airline routes worldwide, and competing for foreign government and private contracts.2. We support American citizens abroad. In 2014, we provided emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in countries experiencing natural disasters or civil unrest. We assisted in 6,537 international adoptions and worked on more than 1,300 child abduction cases -- resulting in the return of over 374 American children.

3. We promote democracy and foster stability around the world. Stable democracies are less likely to pose a threat to their neighbors or to the United States. In South Sudan, Libya and many other countries we worked through various means to foster democracy and peace.4. We help to make the world a safer place. Under the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction) Treaty, we are reducing the number of deployed nuclear weapons to levels not seen since the 1950s. Our nonproliferation programs have destroyed stockpiles of missiles, munitions and material that can be used to make a nuclear weapon. The State Department has helped more than 40 countries clear millions of square meters of landmines.5. We save lives. Strong bipartisan support for U.S. global health investments has led to worldwide progress against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, smallpox and polio. Better health abroad reduces the risk of instability and enhances our national security.6. We help countries feed themselves. We help other countries plant the right seeds in the right way and get crops to markets to feed more people. Strong agricultural sectors lead to more stable countries.7. We help in times of crisis. From earthquakes in Haiti, Japan and Chile to famine in the Horn of Africa, our dedicated emergency professionals deliver assistance to those who need it most.8. We promote the rule of law and protect human dignity. We help people in other countries find freedom and shape their own destinies. Reflecting U.S. values, we advocate for the release of prisoners of conscience, prevent political activists from suffering abuse, train police officers to combat sex trafficking and equip journalists to hold their governments accountable.9. We help Americans see the world. In 2014, we issued 14.1 million passports and passport cards for Americans to travel abroad. We facilitate the lawful travel of international students, tourists and business people to the U.S., adding greatly to our economy. We keep Americans apprised of dangers or difficulties abroad through our travel warnings.10. We are the face of America overseas. Our diplomats, development experts, and the programs they implement are the source of American leadership around the world. They are the embodiments of our American values abroad. They are a force for good in the world.

The CabinetDepartment of Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) develops and implements policy on farming, agriculture, and food. Its aims include meeting the needs of farmers and ranchers, promoting agricultural trade and production, managing food safety, protecting natural resources, assisting rural communities, and working to end hunger in America and abroad. It consists of 17 agencies, including the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Food and Nutrition Service, and the Forest Service. The majority of the department's budget goes towards required programs that provide services required by law, such as nutrition assistance programs, promoting agricultural exports, and conserving our environment. The USDA also plays an important role in overseas aid programs by

providing extra foods to developing countries.Department of Commerce

The Department of Commerce is the government agency in charge of improving living standards for all Americans by promoting economic development and technological innovation. The Department supports U.S. business and industry through a number of services, including gathering economic data and improving understanding of the environment and oceanic life, and ensuring the effective use of scientific and technical resources. The agency also creates technology policy, and promotes U.S. exports by enforcing international trade agreements.

Department of Defense

The mission of the Department of Defense (DOD) is to provide the military forces needed to prevent war and to protect the security of our country. The DOD consists of the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Defense Intelligence Agency. The DOD protects national interests through war-fighting, providing humanitarian aid, and performing peacekeeping and disaster relief services.

Department of Education

The mission of the Department of Education is to promote student achievement and preparation for competition in a global economy by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access to educational opportunity. The Department administers federal financial aid for education, collects data on America's schools to guide improvements in education quality, and works to complement the efforts of state and local governments, parents, and students.

Department of Energy

The mission of the Department of Energy (DOE) is to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States. The DOE promotes America's energy security by encouraging the development of reliable, clean, and affordable energy. It manages federal funding for scientific research to further the goal of discovery and innovation - ensuring American economic competitiveness and improving the quality of life for Americans. The DOE is also tasked with ensuring America's nuclear security, and with protecting the environment by providing a responsible resolution to the legacy of nuclear weapons production.

Department of Health and Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the government's main agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. Agencies of this department conduct health and social science research, work to prevent disease outbreaks, assure food and drug safety, and provide health insurance. In addition to administering Medicare and Medicaid, which provide health insurance to 25% of Americans, HHS also oversees the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control.

Department of Homeland Security

The missions of the Department of Homeland Security are to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks; protect the American people and key resources; and respond to and recover from incidents that do occur. The Department of Homeland Security includes the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS patrols borders, protects travelers and our transportation systems, enforces immigration laws, and responds to disasters and emergencies. The agency also promotes preparedness and emergency prevention among citizens.

Department of Housing and Urban Development

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the agency responsible for national policies and programs that address America's housing needs, that improve and develop the nation's communities, and that enforce fair housing laws. The Department plays a major role in supporting homeownership for lower- and moderate-income families through its mortgage insurance and rent subsidy programs. Offices within HUD include the Federal Housing Administration, which provides mortgage and loan insurance; the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, which ensures all Americans equal access to the housing of their choice; and the Community Development Block Grant Program, which helps communities with economic development, job opportunities, and housing rehabilitation. HUD also administers public housing and homeless assistance.

Department of The Department of the Interior (DOI) is the nation's main conservation agency. Its mission is to

the Interior protect America's natural resources, offer recreation opportunities, conduct scientific research, conserve and protect fish and wildlife, and honor our trust responsibilities to American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and our responsibilities to island communities. DOI manages one-fifth of the land in the United States, and manages hundreds of dams and reservoirs. Agencies within the DOI include the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Minerals Management Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey. The DOI manages the national parks and is in charge with protecting endangered species.

Department of Justice

The mission of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters, advises the President and the heads of the executive departments of the government, and occasionally appears in person before the Supreme Court.

Department of Labor

The Department of Labor oversees federal programs for ensuring a strong American workforce. These programs address job training, safe working conditions, minimum hourly wage and overtime pay, employment discrimination, and unemployment insurance. The Department of Labor's mission is to foster and promote the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find workers, strengthening free collective bargaining, and tracking changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements.

Department of State

The Department of State plays the lead role in developing and implementing the President's foreign policy. Major responsibilities include United States representation abroad, foreign assistance, foreign military training programs, countering international crime, and a wide assortment of services to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals seeking entrance to the U.S. The U.S. maintains diplomatic relations with approximately 180 countries — each posted by civilian U.S. Foreign Service employees — as well as with international organizations.

Department of Transportation

The mission of the Department of Transportation (DOT) is to ensure a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people.

Department of the Treasury

The Department of the Treasury is responsible for promoting economic success and making sure the U.S. and international financial systems are safe and secure. The Department operates and maintains the production of coin and currency, the collection of taxes, and the borrowing of funds necessary to run the federal government. The Department works with other federal agencies, foreign governments, and international financial institutions to encourage global economic growth, raise standards of living, and, to the extent possible, predict and prevent economic and financial crises. The Treasury Department also performs a critical role in enhancing national security by improving the protections of our financial systems and carrying out economic restrictions against foreign threats to the U.S.

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for administering benefit programs for veterans, their families, and their survivors. These benefits include retirement funds, education, disability compensation, home loans, life insurance, vocational rehabilitation, survivor support, medical care, and burial benefits.